Jean Claude Baissac was born in Mauritius in 1942. In 1956, he studied art under the tuition of Serges Constantin at the Sorbonne Beaux Art in France.

In 1962, he continued his studies at the Fine Art Faculty of the Natal Technikon. He performed many exhibitions all around the world such as in France, Belgium, and Mauritius. He lived in South Africa for over two decades and exhibited permanently at the Coppin Johnson Gallery.

Jean Claude Baissac received the International Art Critic and described his work as a reflection of the re-emergence of African Austral culture and mythology. His paintings are in mixed media and have a colorful vibrancy that is symbolic of South Africa today. He is a true African and his paintings reflect these emotions.

TIMELINE

1959
Works in a studio under the teaching of Serge; Constantin Courteline/Anouille Theatre Set; MBC radio program (Poetry).

1962
Left Mauritius for South Africa;
Study of Fine Art (Natal Technikon).

1963
Exhibition Pabros Theater Durban with Vaco Baissac.

1966
Left South Africa for France;
Works as an exhibition booth designer (Centre du Batiment).

1968
Transferred to Bruxelles for the same company;
Evening classes at the University of Brussels (Fine Arts).

1970
Exhibition Gallery Raveinstein Brussels.

From 1970 to 1975
Participates in group exhibitions (Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands).

1975
Back to South Africa (Natal);
Gallery exhibition 2000 Cape Town.

1976
Exhibition Coppin Johnson Gallery (Durban);
Writes and illustrates two children’s books on Zulu tribal life (published by Timmins Cape Town);
Is offered Pen Club South Africa membership card.

1977
Exhibition Transkei gallery W. Scott.

1978
Exhibition Pretotia Grass root Gallery.

1980
Exhibition Alliance Française Durban.

1982
Exhibition Gallery 2000 Cape Town.

1984
Exhibition Gallery Elisabeth Gordon Durban.

1985/1986
Invited by Professor Ian Jordan to teach lithography at the Department of Fine Arts of Natal Technikon.

1986
Group exhibition Pietermaritzburg/Durban/Johannesburg/Pretoria.

1987
Exhibition with African artists from Ghana/Zimbabwe/Tanzania/Zaire.